WO2008072255A2

WO2008072255A2 - An intelligent value added service system

Info

Publication number: WO2008072255A2
Application number: PCT/IN2007/000524
Authority: WO
Inventors: Siddharth Narendra Geol; M. Sonar Rajendra
Original assignee: Siddharth Narendra Geol; Rajendra M Sonar
Priority date: 2006-11-05
Filing date: 2007-11-05
Publication date: 2008-06-19
Also published as: WO2008072255A3

Abstract

System and method for providing value added services to users are described. In one embodiment, the system is used for providing information to a user making use of the mobile technology. The access to right information by user is achieved by personalization of user experience while accessing the service using artificial intelligence.

Description

AN INTELLIGENT VALUE ADDED SERVICE SYSTEM

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The embodiments herein relate generally to value added service and, more particularly to, value added service in mobile technology.

Background

In today's information world the instant access to the information is gaining more importance everyday. There are multiple sources of information available to a user in digital space. Every source of information has their own limitations and advantages.

However the increase in electronic information has brought about concerns on relevancy of the information. More info means more time required to get to the right info. In many applications the cost associated with such services may bring limitations on the time allowed for fetching the information or content.

This may lead to degradation of user experience during the use of the service. Which may further lead to user abandoning a service or a search for the required information.

Such a scenario has brought about concerns on providing the right info at the right time as per user requirement. The right information, which may be the one, which the user is seeking as distinct from other information that may surround the ideal result.

Various Internet search engines have recently introduced the idea of personalization of search and the web experience. However, mobile technology being inherently different in characteristics as to available screen size and utility require much different functionalities.

The user of mobile technology obtains information through various storefronts such as WEB₁ WAP, IVR, SMS, ODP etc. A user of mobile technology searching for information may not be easily able to browse through the results. Therefore, such services may require more accuracy with regard to the required content, which may be required by the user at a later date, or with the introduction of new content.

Also, the various storefronts used in mobile technology services of advertisement, search, campaigns, referrals, personalized ring back tone, and recommendations may require different applications. As the users of mobile technology increase the above concerns are becoming more and more important to be addressed and provide a solution to.

There is therefore a requirement of a system, which is effective in providing user value added services with high accuracy of relevancy on present and adapt with new content.

Summary

The embodiments herein provide a system and method for providing value added services to users. In one embodiment, the system is used for providing information to a user making use of the mobile technology. The access to right information by user is achieved by personalization of user experience while accessing the service using artificial intelligence.

In one embodiment the value added service system comprises of a content synchronization module adapted to interface with a content store for obtaining primary information about contents. A database is adapted to contain updated user contextualized profile and content profile.

Multiple databases may be used for contextualized profile and content profile. A contextual framework module adapted to allow contextualization of the content and alignment with the synchronized primary information of the content is used.

In order to make the system more efficient to the user requirement an artificial intelligence module adapted to input and process user contextualized profile and content profile, and output personally adapted content package sequence to said database. The system allows user to get to the right information with minimum clicks and steps. This increases the time available for download by decreasing the time required for browsing for a required content.

Further, to make the system applicable to various storefronts a storefront adaptation module adapted to input personally adapted content package sequence and adapt the same to each storefront for providing value added service to the user is used.

Other features of the embodiments herein will be apparent from the drawings, and from the detailed description that follows below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

Figure 1 is a general block diagram of value added service system (VAS) according to one embodiment herein.

Figure 2 shows the various storefronts interacting with the database and the user as per an exemplary embodiment herein

Figure 3 shows a method for providing value added service to a user as per an embodiment herein.

Figure 4 shows the method of storefront adaptation of personally adapted content package sequence for providing value added services to the user, according to an embodiment herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A system and method for providing value added services to users are described. In one embodiment, the system is used for providing information to a user making use of the mobile technology. The access to right information by user is achieved by personalization of user experience while accessing the service using artificial intelligence.

In one embodiment herein the user may use the service for obtaining the information or content. In another embodiment the system allows user gifting of the content to a different user. The system and method allows existing mobile architectures to utilize the system and method without changing the core mobile infrastructure.

In the following description, for purpose of explanation, specific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of the embodiments herein. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the embodiments herein may be practiced without these details. One skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein, some of which are described below, may be incorporated into a number of systems that require personalization of information served to the customers. Structures and devices described herein and provided in the accompanying block diagrams are illustrative of exemplary embodiments and descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. Furthermore, connections between components within the figures are not intended to be limited to direct connections. Rather, data between these components may be modified, re-formatted, or otherwise changed by intermediary components.

Reference in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one aspect of the embodiments herein. Furthermore, the appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Figure 1 illustrates a general block diagram of the value added service system (VAS) 100 according to one embodiment herein. The system 100 may comprise of a database 103. The database comprises of data, which may be modified in the system during the various processing on data.

The content, which needs to be provided to the user, may be available in a content store 200. Numerous content stores may be interfaced with the Value added system 100. A content synchronization module 105 may be used to interface the content store with the database 103. In another embodiment herein the content synchronization module may be made available with the content store. The various contents may be multimedia contents, news updates, promotional offers, ring-tones etc.

The content store along with the content may contain primary information about the content. For e.g. in case of content being a movie song the content store may contain the title of the movie and the singer information. The information available in the content store may be present in raw and un-structured format. The content synchronization module 105 is configured to obtain the pointers to the information available with the content. Various methods such as CD PULL, CD PUSH, Direct Database Access or Excel Files may be used for obtaining such primary information.

A contextual framework module 107 may be provided for contextualization. A web-based admin sub-module 107b may be provided in the contextual framework module 107. The contextual framework module is adapted to allow the web-based admin sub-module 107b, access to the content. The content may be grouped in packages and the package thus formed may be added to the appropriate classification level. For e.g. an English horror movie may be classified under a category English horror movie, which forms a part of the category English movies. Also contextualization of the content may classify the content based on the parameters of the content. For e.g. an English movie may be classified based on the actor of the movie. Further, the content weight information may be added and such contextualized information with content weight information may be made available in the database 103. The contextual framework module is adapted to communicate with the database 103 to align the contextual information framed with the primary information obtained by the Content synchronization module, available in the database 103.

Various storefronts 130 may be provided to allow a user 120 access to the required information. For e.g. the user may be provided the required information through wireless access protocol (WAP), Short message services (SMS), interactive voice response (IVR), Open Directory project (ODP), WEB etc.

The database 103 is adapted to maintain a contextual profile of every user. The user contextual profile may contain quantitative and qualitative information about the user usage of content. The contextual profile of the user may be created with the help of predefined business rules. The business rules may contain information about the cost of the content. Also, the business rules may contain schemes or offers on use of a particular service or content and past record of the user with such business rules.

An artificial intelligence module (Al module) 141 is provided for processing of user contextual profile information. Every user may be grouped in the Al module based on the inherent characteristics of the user. For e.g. a user that has a profile that reflects usage of sports related information, shall be grouped among group of users that like sports.

The Al module 141 is adapted to evolve and update each of the content profile and each of the user profile with the updated information about the users and the content information. In such context the Al module processes self-learning capabilities. The Al module 141 also maintains updated content profile. Such content profile may contain information about the popularity of a particular content. The database 103 is interfaced with the Al module 141 to obtain the intelligent output provided by the Al module 141 that contains a personally adapted content package sequence. Such personally adapted content package sequence is updated regularly based on introduction of new content and user profile. The self-learning capabilities of the Al module require intermittent analysis of content profile and user contextual profile. The updated personally adapted content package sequence is maintained in the database 103 and updated on receiving intelligent output provided by the Al module 141. A storefront adaptation module 135 interfaces between the various storefronts 130 and the database 103.

The storefront adaptation module is adapted to ensure that the appropriate adaptation representation occurs for each storefront type. For example content wallpapers cannot be displayed via an IVR storefront; nor can a visual advertisement or banner be shown over SMS (or IVR). However in both of these instances, Web and WAP mediums are far richer in terms of graphical ability so both content examples may be made visually available. The storefront adaptation module 135 adds this functionality of storefront adaptation in order to correctly address each delivery and/or presentation medium and as a value addition to providing the personalized behavior.

The storefront adaptation module thus makes use of updated personally adapted content package sequence of every user to enable provide value added services over various array of storefronts such as WEB, WAP, SMS, IVR, and ODP.

Figure 2 shows the various storefronts interacting with the database and the user as per an exemplary embodiment herein. The various storefronts may be web storefront 213, WAP storefront 215, SMS storefront 217, IVR storefront 219.

Each storefront may provide various functionalities such as search, advertisements, campaigns, referrals, Personalized ring back tones (PRBT), recommendations, etc.

Based on the personally adapted content package sequence of a user obtained from the database the storefront adaptation module 135 may provide customer information to various storefronts. Each storefront is adapted to utilize such information to provide enhanced experience to each user. This information may be used for generating advertising campaigns. The customer information may also be used to provide the search of higher relevance to a user searching for the right information. In another embodiment of the invention each storefront module is adapted to determine the handset of a user to structure the response of a query. Also, the storefront modules are adapted to procure information on user usage of the users without the WAP enabled handset. The storefronts may later on upgradation of user to a WAP enabled mobile handset provides for personalized storefronts. Therefore the data of the user usage is still maintained in the value added system inspite of user not having a WAP enabled mobile handset.

Figure 3 shows a method for providing value added service to a user as per an embodiment herein. The user may make use of the method by using mobile technology.

The user may be provided with information personalized to his requirement. Further, the method allows user to be presented with richer and more relevant information on every use of the service.

The method may involve synchronizing the raw and unstructured content primary information and storing such synchronized information at a database. In order to categorize and classify the available content the method involves contextualization of the contents. This involves fetching of contents and adding packages for e.g. in case of a movie being the content, adding of the movie name, the actor and actress names etc. Further classifying of content may be done for e.g. such contextualized content information is aligned with the synchronized primary information of the content.

Furthermore, the method involves adding of content weights to the content information. Thus a content profile may be made and maintained in a database. The content profile may be periodically updated based on change in content weightage, popularity etc.

In order to enhance user experience while providing them value added services the method involves evolving based on prior and new information about the content and the user. The method thus utilizes artificial intelligence in providing right information in minimum click to a mobile technology user. Presenting 301 most popular content may be used initially as the most preferred content among the list of entire available contents, without having information about user likings. Further, the step involves downloading 303 of content by the user. The content downloaded by the user may be the most popular content shown to the customer during his/her first usage. However, the entire available content is available to the user to download. The downloading of the content acts as an input for calculating, analyzing and updating 305 user contextual profile. This helps in updating user profile as well as the content profile.

Further, updating 307 of profiles of other users having similar likings as that of the user that downloaded a particular content occurs. This further enhances the likelihood of any of the other user belonging to that liking, getting a content of his/her interest when he/she next uses the service.

This method thus increases the likelihood of a user obtaining the right information within minimum time. Also, the new content being added obtains better reach to the users. For every user thus a personally adapted content package sequence may be presented on every use of the service. The method further involves transmitting personally adapted content package sequence of a user to the database.

In order to make use of the analyzed information about the user and the content the personally adapted content package sequence may be adapted to be used for various storefronts such as WEB, WAP, SMS, IVR and ODP.

Figure 4 shows the method of storefront adaptation of personally adapted content package sequence for providing value added services to the user, according to an embodiment herein.

The method enables use of personally adapted content package sequence of a user to be used for use in various storefronts. For e.g. WEB, WAP, SMS, IVR, ODP etc.

The method involves obtaining 401 a personally adapted content package sequence of a user. The personally adapted content package sequence may contain information on list of content, which may be of most relevance to that user on his/her next user of the service.

However, since the means of using such information across the various storefronts differs. Thus the method involves adapting 403 personally adapted content package sequence of a user to each available storefront.

Utilizing 405 the personally adapted content package sequence of a user for that particular storefront for presentation of the required information to the user. For e.g. content wallpapers cannot be displayed via an IVR storefront; nor can a visual advertisement or banner be shown over SMS (or IVR). However in both of these instances, Web and WAP mediums are far richer in terms of graphical ability so both content examples are visually available. The method described thus adds this functionality of storefront adaptation in order to correctly address each delivery and/or presentation medium and as a value addition to providing the personalized behavior.

The gifting of contents to a different user may be made possible. During gifting of the content the sender may be charged for the main content item sent; then the recipient would receive the item itself as well as multiple other choices that have been intelligently placed in the storefront. The method of value added service as described may apply to the user who has been gifted the content. This in turn increases downloads by not only allowing for the recipient to receive a "gift" from another user; but by proactively creating cross and up-selling opportunities that take full advantage of the ability to cater to the user's specific tastes.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A value added service system comprising:

a content synchronization module adapted to interface with a content store for obtaining primary information about contents;

a database adapted to contain updated user contextualized profile and content profile;

a contextual framework module adapted to allow contextual ization of the content and alignment with the synchronized primary information of the content;

an artificial intelligence module adapted to input and process user contextualized profile and content profile, and output personally adapted content package sequence to said database;

a storefront adaptation module adapted to input personally adapted content package sequence and adapt the same to each storefront for providing value added service to the user.

2 The system as in claim 1 , wherein the system is a self-learning system.

3 The system as in claim 1 , wherein the storefront is a WEB storefront.

4 The system as in claim 1 , wherein the storefront is a WAP storefront.

5 The system as in claim 1 , wherein the storefront is a SMS storefront.

6 The system as in claim 1 , wherein the storefront is an ODP storefront.

7 The system as in claim 1 , wherein the storefront is an IVR storefront.

8 The system as in claim 1 , wherein the content synchronization module is available within the content store.

9 The system as in claim 1 , wherein the storefront adaptation module is adapted to obtain information about the user mobile handset and accordingly format the content provided to the user. 10 The system as in claim 1, wherein storefronts provide atleast one service.

11 The system as in claim 10, wherein the service provided by the storefronts is search.

12 The system as in claim 10, wherein the service provided by the storefronts is advertisements.

13 The system as in claim 10, wherein the service provided by the storefronts is campaigns.

14 The system as in claim 10, wherein the service provided by the storefronts is referrals.

15 The system as in claim 10, wherein the service provided by the storefront is recommendations.

16 A method of providing a user value added service, the method comprising the steps of:

presenting most popular content;

downloading of content by user;

calculating .analyzing and updating user contextual profile;

updating of profiles of other users having similar likings as that of the user that downloaded the content.

17 The method as in claim 16, where in the user uses the method using mobile technology.

18 The method as in claim 16, wherein the most popular content is shown as the most preferred content among the list of entire available contents.

19 The method as in claim 16, wherein the other users having similar likings as that of the user that downloaded the content belong to different group of users. 20 The method as in claim 16, further comprising the steps of providing personally adapted content package sequence to a database.

21 The method as in claim 16, wherein service accessible to the user is search of right information and content.

22 The method as in claim 16, wherein service accessible to the user is advertisements.

23 The method as in claim 16, wherein service accessible to the user is campaigns.

24 The method as in claim 16, wherein service accessible to the user is referrals.

25 The method as in claim 16, wherein service accessible to the user is recommendations.

26 The method as in claim 16, wherein service accessible to the user is personalized ring back tones.

27 The method as in claim 16, wherein services offered to the users is through a web storefront.

28 The method as in claim 16, wherein services offered to the users is through a

WAP storefront.

29 The method as in claim 16, wherein services offered to the users is through a SMS storefront.

30 The method as in claim 16, wherein services offered to the users is through an IVR storefront.

31 A method of storefront adaptation of personally adapted content package sequence for providing value added services to the user, comprising the steps of:

obtaining a personally adapted content package sequence of a user;

adapting personally adapted content package sequence of a user to each available storefront; utilizing of the personally adapted content package sequence of a user for that particular storefront for presentation of the required information to the user. The method as in claim 31 , wherein the storefront is WEB storefront. The method as in claim 31 , wherein the storefront is WAP storefront. The method as in claim 31 , wherein the storefront is SMS storefront. The method as in claim 31 , wherein the storefront is ODP storefront. The method as in claim 31 , wherein the storefront is IVR storefront.